There are pros and cons to the Bucs' frugal approach to free agency, which was a necessity based on pricey 2018 deals and some past mistakes.

Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs sent running backs coach Todd McNair to Georgia's pro day to watch Elijah Holyfield and McNair met with him privately after, per a source. The Bucs have been doing their due diligence on a number of running backs in this year's draft class. McNair visited with Miles Sanders at Penn State earlier this week.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

A source tells me that Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams not only had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL combine but has a 30-visit scheduled April 8 (teams are allowed to bring in a maximum of 30 draft prospects, excluding local players). The Bucs hold the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft, so he would be an option there.

With little cap room, the Bucs have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of holding on to DeSean Jackson, who is slated to make $10 million in 2019.

Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

A source tells me that the Bucs had a private meeting with running back Miles Sanders at his Penn State pro day Tuesday. Running backs coach Todd McNair put him through a workout, along with running backs coaches for the Titans, Panthers and Bengals.

The Colts and Browns crushed the draft, but there are still questions about several other teams. Mel gives new grades to all 32 teams.

Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs have signed safety Kentrell Brice, team announced. It's a one-year deal. He spent the last three seasons with the Packers but they opted not to tender him, meaning he was free to sign elsewhere.

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Cameron Wolfe ESPN Staff Writer

Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Bucs to a 2-1 record to start the 2018 season with three consecutive games of 400+ passing yards. His play fell off dramatically after that, but he should make games at Hard Rock Stadium more fun than they would be with other backups-turned-starters. He is the clear favorite to start for the Dolphins in 2019 while they look for draft options.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Ryan Fitzpatrick gets another shot to start, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with the Dolphins, sources tell Cameron Wolfe. Jason Licht and Bruce Arians made it very clear that Jameis Winston would be the Bucs' starter in 2019.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs announced that they agreed to terms with offensive lineman Earl Watford. It's a one-year deal. Watford spent five seasons playing under Bruce Arians in Arizona and was with the Browns in 2018. Moving Caleb Benenoch back to offensive tackle meant the Bucs had holes to fill in their interior, but he can play any position along the offensive line.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Bucs new linebacker Deone Bucannon said of Bruce Arians: "He values you as a person before a player. It just makes you feel good. That's somebody that you want to go to war for." He also said Todd Bowles is "one of the smartest defensive minds I've ever been around."

Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs have agreed to terms with former Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett. Source tells me it's a one-year deal.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs have re-signed defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches to a one-year deal, team announced. So far, the only multi-year deals for the Bucs this free agency period have been the re-signing of left tackle Donovan Smith and quarterback Ryan Griffin.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Cornerback De'Vante Harris announced on his Instagram that he will be returning to Tampa for another year after he was not tendered as a restricted free agent. Keep an eye on Javien Elliott to return too.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Breshad Perriman said it's been a pretty "wild" last 48 hours. He originally agreed to terms with the Browns but instead chose the Bucs after the Odell Beckham, Jr. trade. "They made a decision that they thought was best for them and I had to make a decision that I thought was best for me. ... It was a mutual agreement [with the Browns]. We both said that it would be best for my career and my future to just basically part ways."

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

The Bucs have released Mitch Unrein due to a failed physical. He missed the entire season due to a concussion. He would have carried a $3.75 million cap hit in 2019 and was due a $1 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Source tells me that restricted free agent running back Peyton Barber was given the original round tender by the Bucs ($2.02 million) but instead, they agreed on a one-year deal just before the start of free agency. He'll get a $1 million signing bonus and a $1.125 base salary ($2.125 million). Bruce Arians is very high on him, but this gives both player and coach a chance to see how he plays in their system before signing an extension down the road.

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Jenna Laine ESPN Staff Writer

Deone Bucannon contract details, per source: One-year deal worth $2.5 million with $1.45 million guaranteed. He has a total max value of $3.5 million if he reaches certain incentives. Very low risk here.